The interface of co-operative education in the development of agricultural marketing co-operative societies in Tanzania: a historical inquiry (1925-2021)

Abstract

This study examined the interface between Co-operative Education and Training (CET) and the development of Agricultural Marketing Co-operative Societies (AMCOS) in Tanzania covering the period from 1925 to 2021, with a focus on Ukerewe and Sengerema districts. While co-operatives are widely recognised as instruments of rural transformation, limited research has explored how historically embedded CET practices have shaped their governance, member participation, and long-term sustainability. To address this gap, the study applied the Cyclical Theory of Change to analyse how shifts in political, institutional, and socio-economic contexts have influenced CET effectiveness over time. A historical qualitative design was employed, integrating documentary analysis, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Thematic analysis triangulated archival evidence with oral accounts from co-operative members, leaders, and officials. Findings indicate that CET historically strengthened AMCOS by promoting democratic governance, member awareness, collective decision-making, and marketing efficiency, particularly during the post-independence and early Arusha Declaration periods. Conversely, phases characterised by state centralisation, political interference, and institutional disruption weakened autonomous CET systems, resulting in reduced member ownership, declining participation, and persistent governance conflicts. Contemporary CET practices remain constrained by limited access for ordinary members, outdated curricula, inadequate resources, and weak institutional coordination, threatening AMCOS sustainability. The study extends the Cyclical Theory of Change by showing that co-operative development is non-linear, oscillating in response to the alignment or misalignment between education systems, political authority, and member agency. The study concludes that revitalising CET through historically informed, context-responsive, and member-centred approaches, with the government adopting a facilitative rather than interventionist role, is essential for sustaining AMCOS. These findings contribute to co-operative studies by linking historical institutional dynamics to contemporary governance and sustainability challenges, providing insights for policy, institutional practice, and member empowerment.